Great Grandma L.

One of our top priorities before leaving New York City was to get Ellie out to Denville, NJ to meet her Great Grandma L., Eric's paternal grandmother. Ellie is lucky enough to have four great-grandparents in her life, and Great Grandma L. was the only one she had yet to meet. We made plans to head out to her place the Saturday following Thanksgiving, and Eric's Uncle Alan, Aunt Lynn and cousin Kristen met us there for lunch. It was so great to introduce Ellie to this branch of her family tree!

We took the train from Hoboken, and Ellie did surprisingly well despite being a bit tired. She even passed some time by biting my face, although I prefer to interpret it as kissing.

My loves waiting in the Hoboken Train Station

Off to Denville!

Chomp!

When we arrived in Denville, Uncle Alan retrieved us from the train station and took us to Grandma L.'s place. As we walked through the halls of her building, all the residents were preparing to head off to lunch so everyone was out and about. This allowed for much showing-off of the great-grandbaby, and everyone just ooh-ed and aaah-ed over little Ellie. She was quite a sensation, and I think her Great Grandma was very proud!

Eric, Ellie and Great Grandma L.

We had a lovely lunch and a great visit with everyone. They all seemed to love Ellie (but really, how could they not?) and she was really on her best behavior all afternoon. She just happily ate her Puffs (God bless the inventor of Puffs) and gnoshed on some banana in her mesh feeder while we dined and talked. Then she made the rounds and was held by all the women, and it was so nice to see her bonding with more new family members.

Four generations! (Uncle Alan is standing in for Eric's dad, of course.)

Aunt Lynn, Kristen, Ellie and me

Ellie and her Great Aunt Lynn

Kristen was accessorized to Ellie's liking

Kristen was kind enough to give us a ride back to Hoboken at the end of our visit, which was much appreciated. Ellie was so sleepy by then, and she did manage to pass out in the car for a bit, but awoke with a vengeance just as we arrived in Hoboken and then fully melted down. We were very grateful not to have had that happen on a long train trip! Thanks, Kristen!

It's probably a bad sign if she's pouting while sleeping.

It was such a nice visit with the NJ W. family. Hope to see you all again soon!